Joe Lange Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Greetings All, It has been a long summer. Visiting aging parents in Florida and aging in-laws in Arizona have taken its toll. (All are in Memory Care.) As most of you know, it is a sad reminder that time is nobody's friend. My one bright spot this summer is that I have finally completed my 'biggest model car project' ever. (My wife's words, not mine.) I've had this '73 beetle since 1985 and used it as a daily driver for many years. 15 years in Florida and about 6 here in Alabama. Took it partially apart to do some 'minor work' and wound up taking it totally apart because I wanted to build it back 'My Way'. Work, family life, and everything else got in the way, so........there it sat, in a 'million pieces'. After 15 years of on and off work it's finally done! Oh-yea...........it WILL be my daily ride again. However, since I'm retired now, I don't have that much 'daily driving' anymore! 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mittagskind Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 1 hour ago, Joe Lange said: Greetings All, It has been a long summer. Visiting aging parents in Florida and aging in-laws in Arizona have taken its toll. (All are in Memory Care.) As most of you know, it is a sad reminder that time is nobody's friend. My one bright spot this summer is that I have finally completed my 'biggest model car project' ever. (My wife's words, not mine.) I've had this '73 beetle since 1985 and used it as a daily driver for many years. 15 years in Florida and about 6 here in Alabama. Took it partially apart to do some 'minor work' and wound up taking it totally apart because I wanted to build it back 'My Way'. Work, family life, and everything else got in the way, so........there it sat, in a 'million pieces'. After 15 years of on and off work it's finally done! Oh-yea...........it WILL be my daily ride again. However, since I'm retired now, I don't have that much 'daily driving' anymore! Wow, very clean work. Looks like new. And grey/red is always a good combination. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Marischal Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 That is a fine bit of work. Now you have the time to enjoy it! steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Looks great! I own a 1966 1300 and a 1969 1302. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulf Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 It is extremely tasteful, you have very subtly added and enhanced the car's DNA, it feels little like a modern KDF. I really like the stance of the car. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Very nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketFoot Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 That's one clean bug! I grew up with Volkswagen's...my Dad was a independent VW mechanic and worked on all the Bugs, Ghias, wagons & buses in the area! There was always a VW of some type at our shop! Lots of memories! I see Revell has a 68 Bug model kit out...You should try to build a replica! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reegs Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 "However, since I'm retired now, I don't have that much 'daily driving' anymore!" Ain't that the truth! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slotto Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Aw, man that's cool. I'm jealous. Great colors 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Street Rod Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 You did an excellent job on your Bug! The colors, wheels and stance all work together to give it a cool look. You’ll enjoy it a lot! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamsuperdan Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 What a great looking build! Again, grey with dark red is a classic choice. It just goes so perfectly together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racephoto1 Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Nice Bug. You did a great job on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Congrats on finishing a long-term project. Fine looking little car, engine looks strong too. I love flat-windshield Bugs. Last one I had was a '71, and I kick myself daily for letting it go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugatti Fan Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 That looks a very nice restoration and mild customising job you have done there Joe. Those old VW Beetles have something about them so it is not surprising that they have such a dedicated following. They are a bit of a fun car to drive and the old beetles also have a large following over here in the UK. It was well worth the wait in your case to do it when you were ready to tackle it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunajammer Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 15 hours ago, Joe Lange said: However, since I'm retired now, I don't have that much 'daily driving' anymore! That's good, because now with more discretionary driving you can keep it looking mint the rest of your life. 😊 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Scully Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 It took some time but it was worth it , this is real nice , it looks so right . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldriginal86 Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Well done. It’s a labor of love for a project like this. Now you can enjoy the drive no matter the destination. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransAmMike Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Now that's a great looking Bug ya there Joe. The wheels really look nice on it. Congrats on finally getting it done👌 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THarrison351 Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 Very Nice! I grew up in Beetles and a Ghia and then outgrew them, but I still like to look! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milo1303s Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 (edited) Nice color looks like my 73 Superbeetle ! My dad gave it to me when I was 18 (48 now) and he owned it for 10 years prior so in the family 40 yrs went over the hole lego set in 2003 floors pans, channels , the works 1776 ,44 IDF webers more in the motor then the cars worth lol Edited October 20, 2023 by milo1303s 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Lange Posted October 20, 2023 Author Share Posted October 20, 2023 Thank you guys, for the good words! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ea0863 Posted October 26, 2023 Share Posted October 26, 2023 Joe, shoot down to your local Costco and grab the Maisto VW Beetle for $16.99. It's in virtually the same color as your beautiful ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Lange Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 On 10/25/2023 at 10:15 PM, ea0863 said: Joe, shoot down to your local Costco and grab the Maisto VW Beetle for $16.99. It's in virtually the same color as your beautiful ride! Thanks EMRE, but I'm afraid if I bring home one more VW toy or model, my wife will put them, (and me), on Ebay. Yea, I've accumulated a 'few' over the years along with my other model car kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Eh? Posted November 3, 2023 Share Posted November 3, 2023 Your refreshed daily driver is a work of art. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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